ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH AT PARK HILL SOUTH
A substitute teacher and assistant football coach at Park Hill South High School has been charged with attempted sexual contact with a student.
Authorities say Dillon D. Thomas in February allegedly asked a 17-year-old student to perform a sexual act.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said the charges were filed May 31, following an investigation by the Platte County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri’s Children’s Division.
According to court documents, the parents of a 17-year-old female high school junior allegedly found concerning text messages between their daughter and someone with the contact information “DT,” whom they believed to be Thomas.
Thomas, 25, of Kansas City, was a substitute teacher and assistant football coach. The victim said she first met Thomas while at a sports practice.
Court documents allege Thomas contacted her via Instagram, telling her she was attractive and saying he wished she was not in high school. Thomas allegedly asked how old she was and then said “maybe he shouldn’t be talking to her.”
Court documents indicate the victim told authorities that her conversation with Thomas became more inappropriate and Thomas asked her to perform a sex act. Later, Thomas allegedly contacted the victim, told her people knew they had been talking and instructed her to “delete everything.”
The charge against Thomas is a misdemeanor, and he faces up to one year in jail if convicted.
Zahnd said there was no evidence Thomas had any sexual contact with the student.
“Still, any allegation of a teacher even attempting to have sexual contact with a student is a very serious matter,” he said. “We rely on teachers to keep young people safe, and any potential violation of that trusted relationship is disturbing.”
Court records indicate on June 3 a warrant was issued for the arrest of Thomas. Bond is set at $7,500 cash only. Conditions of bond include no contact with the victim, no contact or entry upon Park Hill School District property.